Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is on the mend after a cardiovascular procedure was performed last week to correct a heart issue found during the program’s annual physicals for coaches, the university announced.
The 46-year-old Sarkisian is entering his second season as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator after an offseason in which his name was attached to multiple head coaching positions.
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The university’s official statement read: “The Alabama football coaching staff participates in an annual executive physical. During Coach Sarkisian’s physical last week, it was determined that he needed a procedure to correct a congenital cardiovascular anomaly before it became an issue. Coach Sarkisian underwent a successful procedure this past Thursday (July 2) in Birmingham. He is back home in Tuscaloosa and is expected to make a full recovery.”
Sarkisian expecting to make a full recovery is good news, indeed, but there are questions that remain amid a global pandemic. Alabama has instituted protocols for its staff and student-athletes regarding COVID-19. Will Sarkisian make a full recovery in time for the Crimson Tide to start preparations for a fall season as currently scheduled? Is he considered among the population that is regarded as vulnerable to contracting the virus?
That information wasn’t made available by the university. It’s possible that it’s simply not known at this time. So much about what we know of the virus changes almost on a weekly basis.
But there are football questions that linger. That may sound callous (and it’s not meant to be), but the conversation turning to what this means for Alabama football is relevant. It’s not as important as Sarkisian, who has publicly battled alcohol issues in his life, taking care of himself. That’s the No. 1 priority. As it should be.
Nick Saban and Alabama, though, have a season to prepare for and having a determination of whether or not the offensive coordinator will be available is something that carries a lot of weight. It’s the first season Alabama’s had a returning offensive coordinator since 2016, when Lane Kiffin was in his third year in that position. Since then, there’s been Brian Daboll (2017), Mike Locksley (2018) and Sarkisian (2018). Continuity is important, especially considering that Alabama will have a new starting quarterback, whether it’s redshirt junior Mac Jones or true freshman Bryce Young.
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For the sake of this article, and because Alabama gave no indication that he wouldn’t be available, let’s all assume Sarkisian is available by the time preseason camp begins. At the very least, he’ll be under light duty for the next couple of weeks. Let’s also assume that Alabama will make concessions regarding his duties for the time being.
The statement indicated that the heart procedure was done to correct a problem before it really became a problem. Considering the alternative could have been true, this is a positive development. On the other hand, if the recovery and any concern related to the coronavirus take Sarkisian away for an extended amount of time, it becomes an issue for the team. There is no one on staff with as much play-calling experience as Sarkisian.
There’s no indication, however, that that’s the case. The important thing is that doctors caught and corrected an issue before it became an issue.
(Photo: Rich von Biberstein / Getty Images)
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